Resumen

Depressive disorders are common conditions widely dispersed among the population and are usually associated with a high degree of disability (Ebmeier, Donaghey & Steele, 2006). Nowadays, there are no biological markers that allow clinicians to make a reliable and valid diagnosis of depressive disorders. Thus, the "gold standard" to diagnose these conditions is the diagnosis obtained with structured diagnostic interviews administered by trained clinicians. In the last 30 years, diagnostic activity has dramatically risen and diagnostic systems such as DSM-IV are widely used. Clinicians have numerous questionnaires, inventories and scales to assess depressive symptoms. In fact, some of them have been specifically created for the diagnosis of depressive disorders. As a result, we should be rigorous in choosing the correct instruments to make a diagnosis. The Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI; Millon, 1983) is one of the most used instruments in Europe (Evers, 2012) and Spain (Muñiz & Fernández- Hermida, 2010). There are two frequently used versions: the MCMI-II (Millon, 1987) and the MCMI-III (Millon, 1994; Millon, Davis & Millon, 1997; Millon, Millon, Davis & Grossman, 2009). One of the main aims of the MCMI is the detection and diagnosis of mental disorders, including major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder. At the moment, there are no published studies on the diagnostic validity of the Spanish adaptation of the MCMI-II (Millon, 1998, 1999, 2002, Spanish adaptation by A. Ávila- Espada) or the diagnostic validity of the Spanish adaptation of the MCMI-III (Millon, Millon & Davis, 2007, Spanish adaptation by V. Cardenal and M. P. Sánchez). In addition, studies that have evaluated the diagnostic efficacy of the original versions of the MCMI-II and MCMI-III have revealed methodological problems (Millon, 1994; Millon et al., 1997). Moreover, the diagnostic validity of these inventories has been the subject of great controversy (Hsu, 2002; Retzlaff, 1996; Grove & Vrieze, 2009). Therefore, the general aim of this research was to examine the diagnostic efficacy of the MCMI-II/MCMI-III Major Depression and Dysthymia scales in diagnosing DSMIV depressive disorders...